Page 52 of Love Like Lightning

Looking at her fondly, he leans his shoulder into hers. “You’d probably be right about that, better half.”

“Well, how were your weeks?” Betty turns her eyes back to us with her question.

“Not bad, getting into a good flow with work.” I offer what I can, not getting into too many details.

“It’s been pretty great. I think I’ll be able to turn my newest employee loose next week on her own,” Henry adds, pride filling his voice.

“That’s great, Henry. I’m so glad you’re finally taking the plunge and growing your business. I knew you could do it.” Hank grins, looking like a proud dad.

Shifting my eyes to Henry, I find him almost overcome at the compliment. His grin is wide, but his eyes are a bit glassy. It’s almost like he’s not used to the praise. Which I find hard to believe. He’s so accomplished, not just for his age, but in general.

“Yup, I’m hoping that in the next few years I’ll have a team of three, including myself. Maybe have someone take over bookkeeping and all that.” Henry takes a sip of his water, then replaces the glass next to mine.

“Accounting and stuff like that? Isn’t that what you do, Gia? Maybe you could give Henry some tips or something to make it easier for him to manage.” Betty swirls her red wine in her wineglass, a contemplative look on her face.

“I could look at your books.” Henry’s face is a blank page, and I’m not sure if he’s on board with the idea or not. “If you want…no worries if not.”

“No, that would be great. Thank you.” He offers me a small smile, and my eyes catch on his dimple.

Henry smiles often enough that I’m growing attached to it.

“So, Gia, are you seeing anyone right now?” The abrupt change in the direction of our conversation hits me like whiplash, although it seems that’s kind of Betty’s style.

I can appreciate her blunt approach, even while wishing I wasn’t the one at the center of the conversation.

“I’m not. Actually, I’m taking a break from relationships at the moment.” Thankfully, our waitress chooses now to bring us our food, and everyone focuses on that.

At least for a bit.

“So how’s the food compared to your family’s?” Hank asks before taking another bite of his lasagna.

Smiling, I think about the feast we’re going to have for Nonna’s birthday in a couple of weeks. “Not bad, actually really good. Not as good, of course. But it’ll do until I head home in a couple of weeks for a few days for my Nonna’s birthday.”

“Oh, that sounds fun. I’m glad the restaurant is almost up to par.” Hank jokes, shooting me a wink.

I’m about halfway done with my lemon pasta dish, which isn’t something my family makes often, but this restaurant does exceptionally well, before Betty continues her line of questioning.

“What’s your type? When you are dating.”

Her interest in my dating life would be confusing if I hadn’t noticed her shooting very pointed looks at Henry every so often. My guess is she’s invested in setting us up in some capacity, and even though I absolutely cannot date Henry right now, I can’t fault her for it.

Henry should be dating someone. It’s mind boggling to me that someone hasn’t locked him down yet, and I’m sure she thinks the same. I guess when I consider the fact that he’s a one-night stand kinda of person, it makes sense.

“I usually end up meeting people through my family. I have a lot of cousins, and they all have coworkers and acquaintances and friends.” I don’t look at Henry as I speak. I’m not sure why, but talking about this in front of him feels weird. “For some reason, my last couple of boyfriends have ended up working in finance, kind of like me. I guess I don’t really have a type, necessarily, but the trend is that I meet people through my family.”

Hank nods along, focusing on his Bolognese more than anything, and Betty just hums.

Sitting here in this restaurant with these people has me thinking and feeling a lot of things. Just the look on Betty’s face has me completely rethinking what I’ve been doing all this time.

“Honestly, it hasn’t really been working out, so maybe I’ve been dating the wrong guys.” The words are out of my mouth before I know I’m saying them. It’s almost exactly what Simone said to me back in Boston.

For the first time, I almost believe it.

I can feel Henry’s eyes on me, and Betty’s brighten considerably. A wide grin stretches her face.

I don’t realize it until we’re well onto a different topic, but I’m smiling too. I’m lighter, less weighed down by the ideals I’ve convinced myself I have to stick to when it comes to dating and who I should be with. Who’s to say that I can’t date someone I didn’t meet through my family? Or someone younger than me? Or someone who lives across the country?

Or anyone I like.

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